Members of the Republican Party of Pope County have received multiple calls expressing concern over the City Council special meeting held on Friday, December 23rd. Some attended the meeting; others heard the meeting played back on the radio. The actual actions taken by the council are not the subject of this response, but the apparent message being sent by the council is. What was heard by many of us is that there is no room for faith, personal beliefs or principles in government. As Republicans, we do not accept that premise.

When someone is elected it is generally accepted that the candidate is chosen based on what they stand for and their individual beliefs. A candidate’s life experiences, personal beliefs and principles make up who they are and in large part are why they are chosen to be an elected representative. Those traits cannot be checked “at the door” of the council chambers, quorum courtroom or capitol building. In the Friday meeting, there were references made to Hitler and violations of the Constitution in response to an official using his morals and faith to guide his judgment. As Republicans, our stance is that those types of comparisons are misguided and unfortunate. The Constitution of the United States makes no reference to a separation of Church and State.

In the national political scene it has become apparent that the liberal left has moved away from the founding principles and taken an “ends justifies the means” game plan to help bring the country away from the Constitution and the original design of the Founding Fathers. The erosion of morals and principles has been a part of that plan. The Republican Party of Pope County believes that there is historic precedence and a place for God, individual faith and principles in government at all levels.

Here, in Pope County as Republicans, we share the platform of the Arkansas Republican Party and Republicans across the nation.

• The power of faith in God

• The sanctity of life

• Individual responsibility and initiative

• Individual freedom and liberty secured by a

limited government

• Lower taxes to produce economic growth

• Strong national defense

• The personal right to own and bear arms

• The equal and just enforcement of the law

Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged. — Ronald Reagan